Gladys Ibañez, PhD

Bio

Current research focus?
My research focuses on healthy aging among people living with HIV, intervention development, and integrative and complementary health.

Exciting ongoing project(s)?
I am currently leading a large randomized clinical trial to determine if tai chi/qigong can reduce depressive symptoms among older people living with HIV.

Relevant past or current dissertations you have chaired?

1. “Swiping right and sexually transmitted diseases (STD): Examining venue selection, risky sexual behaviors, and STD among persons living with HIV, Florida, 2014-2017.”
2. “Examining stigma and its effect on HIV prevention & care among people living in Florida”

Proud moment from one of your mentees?
One of my PhD students obtained her dream job as an epidemiologist at the CDC in Atlanta; and one of MPH students won the Best Student Poster Award at the APHA conference in 2017.

Advice for PhD applicants?
Really know what getting a PhD degree entails and what it will provide in terms of career growth; and what are your reasons for wanting a PhD. Get research experience and, if possible, author or co-author some conference presentations and/or articles based on your research experience.